"High wind warnings were issued by the National Weather Service for northern Salt Lake, Davis, Weber and eastern Box Elder counties, as well as the western deserts, through Thursday night. Steady winds were being recorded in the 40-60 mph range, with gusts in excess of 80 mph.

"A winter storm warning — with snowfall of 10-18 inches predicted in some locales — was in effect for northeastern Utah from just north of Vernal, and running west to the Wasatch Mountains."

Yellow: Gusts of 40 to 60 mph are likely. Orange: Gusts of 50 to 70 mph are likely. Red: Gusts of 60 to 80 mph are likely (and higher gusts have already been recorded).
National Weather Service
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There are also wind warnings up in Nevada, as The Las Vegas Sun reports. And Southern California is being whipped as well: "Heavy Santa Ana winds were lashing Southern California before dawn Thursday morning, spreading fires and knocking down electrical wires, causing scattered blackouts," the Los Angeles Times says.

Our colleagues at KPCC say authorities in Southern California are preparing against the threat of wind-whipped fires.

Update at 11:15 a.m. ET: KPCC is now live-blogging the news and reports that the strong winds are expected to continue into Friday, with "gusts of 80 mph or greater through mountain passes and 60 mph or greater in coastal and valley locations."

Update at 4:58 p.m. ET. The Scene In Southern California:

NPR's Carrie Kahn send us this picture from Venice Beach in Southern California:

A fallen tree over one of the famous canals of Venice Beach.
Carrie Kahn/NPR
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Carrie Kahn/NPR

In her piece for All Things Considered, Carrie reports that this is worst windstorm to strike Southern California in 10 years. The damage has been similar across the area: big trees have toppled over gas stations and power lines.